Elements of individualism in the life and selected works of Woody Guthrie

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dc.contributor.advisor	Carruthers, Silvia	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sauceda, Jonathan
dc.date.accessioned	2009-05-23T18:36:14Z
dc.date.available	2009-05-23T18:36:14Z
dc.date.copyright	2008	en
dc.date.issued	2008-08
dc.identifier.other	t08050
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10057/2015
dc.description	Thesis (M.Mus.)--Wichita State University, College of Fine Arts, School of Music	en
dc.description	Includes bibliographic references (leaves 59-62)	en
dc.description.abstract	Although the image of Woody Guthrie has often used as a symbol by collectivist leaning groups such as the Communist Party of the United States and the free love movement of the 1960s, and although he has been viewed by scholars as a dogmatic union supporter, an examination of several musical works characteristic of his creative oeuvre demonstrate individualistic traits. Guthrie’s own life, his solitary travels, his lack of concern for the welfare of his own family, his attitude toward financial success, treatment of and by the Communist Party, marriages, military career and final years demonstrate this individualism. His writings, most notably Bound for Glory – his semi-factual autobiography – and Woody Sez – a collection of his articles for a Communist Periodical – also show clear signs of a focus on self-actualization and independence rather than a desire for a Communist Cockaigne. The lyrics of songs characteristic of Guthrie’s preferred topical genres – “Jesse James” and “They Laid Jesus Christ in His Grave,” outlaw, “This Land is Your Land,” travel and “I Ain’t Got No Home,” anti-organized religion – came from an individualistic paradigm. Guthrie’s choices in crafting a musical idiom also reflect individualizing efforts. The easily played keys, chords, forms and rhythms allow a wide variety of individuals to take part in the music and also allowed for many variations on the music and lyrics while retaining the original message. Guthrie’s purposeful crafting of his own image independent of the musical culture both in his hometown and around him also demonstrates his independence. The choice of ultra-portable instrument – guitar – supplemented Guthrie’s rambling, self-reliant mystique.	en
dc.format.extent	vii, 72 leaves.	en
dc.format.extent	881286 bytes
dc.format.mimetype	application/pdf
dc.language.iso	en_US	en
dc.publisher	Wichita State University	en
dc.rights	Copyright 2008 by Jonathan Sauceda. All Rights Reserved	en
dc.subject.lcsh	Electronic dissertations	en
dc.title	Elements of individualism in the life and selected works of Woody Guthrie	en
dc.type	Thesis	en